G-III Apparel posts narrower-than-expected Q1 loss

(Reuters) - Clothing maker G-III Apparel Group Ltd (GIII.O) posted a narrower-than-expected quarterly loss, helped by strength at its dress and sportswear businesses, and forecast second-quarter revenue slightly above Wall Street estimates.

For the first quarter, the company posted a loss of $6.8 million, or 41 cents a share, compared with a loss of $6.9 million, or 42 cents a share, a year earlier.

Sales rose 54 percent to $115.9 million.

Analysts were expecting a loss of 51 cents a share, before special items, on revenue of $106.4 million, according to Reuters Estimates.

For the second quarter, the company, which also has licenses to make branded apparel under the Calvin Klein, Sean John, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi's and Dockers labels, forecast a loss of 28 cents to 32 cents a share, on revenue of about $135 million.

Analysts were expecting a loss of 30 cents a share, before special items, on revenue of $134.1 million, according to Reuters Estimates.

Shares of the New York-based company closed at $8.44 Wednesday on Nasdaq.

(Reporting by Amitha Rajan in Bangalore; Editing by Vinu Pilakkott)